Paint roller cleaner

ABSTRACT

A paint roller cleaner having a tank for supporting at least one roller applicator in the central cavity therein so that it is free to rotate on its spindle. A water jet assembly is disposed within the cavity immediately adjacent the sidewall of the tank and the assembly is permitted limited rotation about a vertical axis. At least one jet is carried on a vertical conduit in the assembly that is directed to discharge a water jet stream against the periphery of the roller applicator. A connector is detachably coupled to a portion of the conduit for supplying pressurized water to the jet and an outlet pipe is connected to the bottom of the tank for removing dirty water therefrom.

[ 1 Sept. 5, 1972 United States Patent Stevens et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS [54] PAINT ROLLER CLEANER G em m M M .mw mo 6 mm iw HA aa a mmc mms

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[ ABSTRACT .A paint roller cleaner having a tank for supporting at least one roller applicator in the central cavity therein 22 Filed: Dec.2, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 94,256

[52] U.S. CL...................................134/138, 134/149 80 th it is free to rotate on its p A ate jet assembly is disposed within the cavity immediately ad jacent the sidewall of the tank and the assembly is per- [51] Int. Cl. 3/02 134/138, 139,149,153

[58] Field of mitted limited rotation about a vertical axis. At least [56] References Cited one jet is carried on a vertical conduit in the assembly that is directed to discharge a water jet stream against UNITED STATES PATENTS the periphery of the roller applicator. A connector is detachably coupled to a portion of the conduit for supplying pressurized water to the jet and an outlet 3,075,534 1/1963 Habostad...,.................134/138 2,831,488 4/1958 Anderson....................l34/138 t dt th b a fth tankf 2,773,274 12/1956 Beech......................134/149X Plpeiscmmece o e mg dirty watertherefrom.

3,118,458 1/1964 Dannenmannetal...134/l53 X 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Mummers-Ian 3.688.785

PAINT ROLLER CLEANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to paint applicator cleaners and, more particularly, to a novel apparatus for spraying a forcible water stream into a tufted paint roller for diluting the paint accumulation thereon so that the undersired paint is separated from the tufts and drained from the roller.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been the conventional practice for a' homeowner or professional house painter to employ water soluble paint that is applied to the interior or exterior wall surfaces of a house by means of bristle brushes or tufted rollers. With respect to brushes, it is relatively convenient to clean the brush subsequent to a painting procedure by holding the brush by its handle and subjecting the bristles thereof to a discharging stream of faucet water. Since the brush type of paint applicator includes a handle in its construction, the use and control of the cleaning procedure is relatively simple since the user may easily direct or orient the paint saturated bristles under a faucet stream without encountering unnecessary splashing 'or spattering of paint. Furthermore, the users hand does not necessarily come into contact with the dirty paint water or the faucet stream.

However, with roller applicators, a tufted sleeve is removably mounted on a spindle which is rotatably carried by a handle. After a painting procedure, the roller sleeve is removed from the spindle and held under the water faucet for cleaning purposes. No handle is available for use by the painter and therefore, splashing, spattering and wetting of the users hands are a normal occurrence. The tufts or mat surface of the roller sleeve becomes inundated with water and it is the customary practice to remove the dirty water by squeezing or by draining the water from the tufts. Once the tufts are dried out, they are generally hard and require considerable reworking so as to place the roller in condition for applying paint again.

Therefore, a need has long existed to provide a device for holding at least one roller sleeve so that it is free to rotate while a forceful stream saturates its paint loaded tufts or mat surfaces for cleaning purposes. Such a device should have the capability of semi-drying the tuft or mat surface after removal of the undesired paint. Furthermore, means are desirable for thoroughly saturating the roller sleeve and for more efficiently separating the paint product from the tufts or bristles during the cleaning procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the problems and difficulties encountered with conventional procedures in cleaning paint rollers or sleeves are obviated by the present invention in which a container is provided for movably supporting at least one paint roller. The roller sleeve is supported so as to rotate about a vertical axis when forcibly engaged by a jet stream which impinges against its peripheral surface. Jet means are carried by an as sembly on the container which includes a discharge jet for selectively directing the spray or forcible stream into engagement with the periphery of the roller. Coupling means are provided for detachably connecting the water jet assembly to a source of pressurized water and an exhaust or removal conduit is provided at the bottom of the container for permitting dirty'water to run out of the container.

In one form of the invention, the roller need not be removed from its spindle and in this instance, means are provided on a lid for the container to be adapted to accommodate the handle of the paint roller so that the roller will rotate on its spindle when urged by the discharging water stream.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus which employs a jet stream for saturating the tufts of the roller and thereby cleaning the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus that supports the roller handle in position so that a roller may rotate on its spindle in response to impingement of a jet stream in the tufted peripheral area of the roller.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cleaning apparatus for removably supporting paint rollers and which includes an enclosure for supporting a jet stream whereby the stream may be selectively directed against the tufted portion of the roller for forcible impingement therewith and whereby the rotary movement of the roller is at high speed for throwing off accumulated water through centrifugal action.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel paint roller applicator cleaner in which the rollers are mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in response to impingement of a forcible water jet against the tufted areas thereof so that the roller is thoroughly cleaned, accumulated water discharged or removed therefrom and splashing external of the cleaning area contained.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth in with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel paint roller cleaning apparatus of the present invention and further illustrating a portion of the container sidewall broken away to expose the mounting of the paint roller applicator;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the roller cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a water jet assembly employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a water jet assembly employing a plurality of jets in fixed vertical position. A

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, the novel paint roller cleaner of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10 and is shown in a typical configuration for cleaning paint from roller applicators.

A pair of roller applicators are illustrated with respect to apparatus so that it can be understood that a pair of rollers may be cleaned simultaneously. A first roller applicator includes a substantially U-shaped frame 11 having a handle 12 fixedly secured on one end thereof and an elongated spindle l3 rotatably carried on its opposite end. A conventional roller sleeve 14 is removably carried on spindle 13 and includes a paint applicating periphery composed of fibers, tufts or other mat material. The tufts or mat material is indicated by numeral 15, with respect to roller 14. The frame 11 includes an elongated segment 16 that extends between the spindle 13 and a major segment length of the applicator terminating in handle 12. A second paint roller applicatoris indicated by numeral l7 and it is understood that this second roller applicator is identical to roller applicator 11 with the exception that the diameter of the spindle and the roller are substantially greater than the diameter of the spindle 13 and roller 14.

The apparatus 10 includes an enclosure which takes the form of a cylindrical tank 20 having a fixed top portion 21 to which a lid 22 is hingeably attached via hinge 23. The edge marginal region of the lid 22 includes a downwardly depending flange 24 operating to seal the interior of the tank during operation. The lid 22 further includes a channel member 25 having a recess opening into the interior of the tank. During preparation for cleaning of the rollers, the roller applicators 11 and 17 are disposed so that segments 16 reside within the channel defined by channel member 25. This latter channel member extends not only across lid 22 but continues along the exterior sidewall surface of the tank 20 so as to receive an additional portion of the rod forming the frame of the applicator.

The portion of the channel member which extends vertically along the exterior of the tank 20 is indicated by numeral 26 on one side of the tank and this member is employed as a releasable lock or retaining mechanism to maintain the lid 22 in a secure position so as to seal and close the tank. The retaining mechanism further includes a pivot 27 which permits the member 26 to rotate in order to receive the rod frame 11 and also includes a rotatable latch 28 having a dog 30 carried on its end disposed within the member 26 so as to bear against the frame of the applicator 11 and to project through an opening in member 25 for securement purposes. Upon rotation of handle 28 so as to remove dog 30 from its mating hole, the member 26 is free to pivot upwardly about pivot 27 so as to release the applicator from its retained location.

The paint roller cleaning apparatus of the present invention further includes a spray jet assembly which comprises an elongated conduit or tube 31 that is slideably disposed within a mounting 32 carried on the top of lid 21. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a fitting 33 is secured to the mounting 32 so as to permit rotary motion of the fitting and mount 32, but which prevents vertical movement thereof. The fitting 33 further includes a downwardly depending portion 34 which has mounting 33 at its extreme end and terminates in a fixture 35 in rotating relationship therewith. Fitting 35 is secured to a bottom 36 of the tank 20. Therefore, it can be seen that the tube portion 34 extends between lid 21 and bottom 36 so that no vertical axial movement can take place; however, rotary movement can take place in the tubular portion 34 within the limits of stops 37 and 38 carried on the top or lid portion 21 as selectively engaged by tooth 40 carried on the mounting 32.

The tube 31 is arranged so as to be in slidable relationship with respect to the tube portion 34. The tube portion 34 includes an elongated slot 41 which extends substantially along its entire length and this slot is adapted to receive a jet 42 carried on the extreme end of the conduit 31. The jet 42 is intended to discharge a forcible stream of water into the interior of the tank 20. As shown in solid lines, the jet 42-is at the upper end of slot 41 while in broken lines, the water jet is at the lower or opposite end of slot 41, as indicated by numeral 41'.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in solid lines, the water jet may be moved from its upper position to its lower position as shown in broken lines in a reciprocal manner indicated by double arrow 43. This motion is manual and is repeated so that the jet stream is directed along the entire length of the rollers. By adding a rotary about the vertical axis during the reciprocation of the jet, the jet stream is directed to impinge against a selected one of the two rollers. However, it is to be understood that the jet stream need not be directed against the major portion of either one of the rollers, but it is only necessary that the forcible stream impinge against the periphery of either one of the rollers in order to effect rotation of the roller on its spindle.

Tube 31 is coupled to a source of pressurized water via a hose 44 and fitting 45. A conventional detachable coupler 46 connects hose 44 to the fitting 45. The fitting 45 may be used as a handle. Additionally, a handle may be incorporated onto the lid 22 so that it may be easily carried when not in use.

With respect to FIG. 2, the rotation of tube 31 with respect to the tube portion 34 is shown wherein the spray discharging from jet 41 may be directed toward either roller 14 or roller 14'. When the jet is pivoted toward roller 14 and is arranged so that tooth 40 is against stop 38, the jet stream from the jet will impinge against the periphery of roller and it will rotate in the direction of arrow 47. Conversely, when the tooth 40 is against stop 37, the jet 42 will discharge a forcible stream against the periphery of roller 14' and this roller will rotate in the direction of arrow 48.

Means are incorporated into the tank 20 for conducting dirty paint water from the interior thereof and takes the form of an outlet pipe 50 which is coupled at one end to the bottom 36 and extends beyond the periphery of the tank so as to discharge the dirty water at a remote location. If desired, the tank may include legs, such as leg 51 as shown in FIG. 1 which may comprise a set of three or four legs.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, another jet stream assembly is shown wherein the pipe or tube 31 extends through top portion 21 and terminates in rotary relationship with respect to the fitting 35. In this version, a plurality of jets are incorporated into pipe or conduit 31 and the plurality of jets are collectively illustrated by the numeral 53. The plurality of jets 53 are arranged in fixed spaced apart relationship along the length of conduit 31. Mounting 32 and fitting 33 retain the tube 31 in fixed relationship between bottom 36 and lid portion 21. However, the tooth and stops 40, 37 and 38 are included so that the tube or conduit 31 can still be rotated as previously described within the limits of the stop.

In this latter version, a plurality of pressurized jet streams will issue from the plurality of water jets 53 so that the entire length of the roller will be saturated with water and the rollers will rotate. As the rollers rotate, excess water will be spun from the rollers by centrifugal force so that at the conclusion of the cleaning procedure, the roller tufts or mat material will be at least damp dry.

In actual operation, the lid portion 22 is rotated on hinge 23 so that the roller applicators 11 and 17 may be positioned over the edge of tank 20 leading into the interior thereof. The rollers 14 and 14 are disposed within the interior of the tank and the rod frame portion of each applicator is positioned within the groove or recess of channel member and members 26 carried on opposite sides of the tank. The latch 28 is rotated so that the dog 30 enters through its respective hole in member 26 so as to retain the handles in place. Member 26 also ties down and holds the lid 22 in position via a lip portion 54. After the hose 44 is connected to fitting 45 via coupling 46, water is introduced to the sliding tube 31 which discharges the water through the jet 42. The user operates the tube 41 in an up-anddown movement between the terminating end of slot 41 so that the jet stream is directed along the major horizontal axis of the rollers. A slight rotation of tube 31 with respect to the tube portion or conduit 34 within the confines of fitting 35 permits the jet spray to be directed toward either one of the pair of rollers within the cleaning chamber of the tank 20. If desired, a plurality of jets may be employed so that the up-and-down reciprocal movement as shown in FIG. 1 will not be required.

The device of the present invention is simple to manufacture and is economical, particularly when fabricated in plastic materials or the like. The device is simple to use and does not require skill or detailed knowledge in order to assemble and operate the device.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within be true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising:

an enclosure having an interior cleaning chamber defined by a continuous sidewall closed at its opposite ends by a fixed bottom and a pivotal lid portion and a fixed lid portion;

means cooperably carried on said enclosure and said lid for rotatably supporting at least one paint roller l a water jet fixedly carried on said assembly end with said chamber for discharging a stream of water against the peripheral surface region of said roller; means carried on said tank bottom for draining water accumulation subsequent to discharge from said water jet; said water jetv assembly comprising a first tube slidably carried with a secondtube;

said second tube having an elongated slot formed therein and secured between said lid and said bottom;

said water jet being carried on the end of said first tube and projecting through said slot;

said first tube being manually moved in a reciprocating manner back-and-forth so that said water jet moves between the terminating ends of said slot;

the length of said slot being longer than the length of said roller;

mounting means carried on said lid for rotatably mounting said water jet assembly so that said water jet is positionable about a vertical axis;

a slide mounting on said lid for carrying said water jet assembly whereby said assembly is manually positionable up-and-down in a rectilinear action;

said roller is carried on its frame, said frame being releasably secured to said enclosure by said support means;

said support means includes an open ended channel carried on said pivotal lid portion having a downwardly opening groove for receiving a portion of said frame;

said pivotal lid portion forcibly urging said frame portion into a fixed position against the edge of said enclosure; and

a securement mechanism pivotally attached to the end of said channel and having a slot for receiving the other portion of said roller frame and including a cam lock assembly operable to bear against said other frame portion within said slot to secure said roller frame in a fixed position and to secure said pivotal lid portion to said enclosure.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a pair of rollers, each .having a frame portion disposed in said channel groove;

said water jet being disposed between said rollers;

and

means rotatably mounting said water jet assembly on said lid so that said water jet may be selectively directed to either one of said rollers. 

1. A paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising: an enclosure having an interior cleaning chamber defined by a continuous sidewall closed at its opposite ends by a fixed bottom and a pivotal lid portion and a fixed lid portion; means cooperably carried on said enclosure and said lid for rotatably supporting at least one paint roller within said cleaning chamber whereby said roller rotates about a vertical axis; a water jet assembly carried on said lid having one end projecting into said cleaning chamber and another end located exteriorly of said enclosure; a source of pressurized water detachably coupled to said exteriorly exposed end of said water jet assembly; a water jet fixedly carried on said assembly end with said chamber for discharging a stream of water against the peripheral surface region of said roller; means carried on said tank bottom for draining water accumulation subsequent to discharge from said water jet; said water jet assembly comprising a first tube slidably carried with a second tube; said second tube having an elongated slot formed therein and secured between said lid and said bottom; said water jet being carried on the end of said first tube and projecting through said slot; said first tube being manually moved in a reciprocating manner back-and-forth so that said water jet moves between the terminating ends of said slot; the length of said slot being longer than the length of said roller; mounting means carried on said lid for rotatably mounting said water jet assembly so that said water jet is positionable about a vertical axis; a slide mounting on said lid for carrying said water jet assembly whereby said assembly is manually positionable up-anddown in a rectilinear action; said roller is carried on its frame, said frame being releasably secured to said enclosure by said support means; said support means includes an open ended channel carried on said pivotal lid portion having a downwardly opening groove for receiving a portion of said frame; said pivotal lid portion forcibly urging said frame portion into a fixed position against the edge of said enclosure; and a securement mechanism pivotally attached to the end of said channel and having a slot for receiving the other portion of said roller frame and including a cam lock assembly operable to bear against said other frame portion within said slot to secure said roller frame in a fixed position and to secure said pivotal lid portion to said enclosure.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a pair of rollers, each having a frame portion disposed in said channel groove; said water jet being disposed between said rollers; and means rotatably mounting said water jet assembly on said lid so that said water jet may be selectively directed to either one of said rollers. 